Research Brief
A recording for this session isn't published. Below is the BPI editorial brief — key takeaways, an in-depth summary, and FAQs drawn from the original session materials and the presenter's body of work.
Presenter
Louis Carter
Description
2020 has accelerated the “Future Workplace” predictions, especially related to work-from-home and a shift to a more distributed workforce. Today 80% of employees work from home. While some organizations have embraced this new work environment, and some employees prefer this model, many other companies and employees desire a return to “how things used to be.” Many experts predict the new normal will be with us at least for the next 18 months and beyond, but one thing is certain - things will never fully go back to how it was pre-COVID. In this session, led by BPI’s CEO Louis Carter and BPI’s Global Advisory Board member and former HP Chief Talent Officer Linda Sharkey, you will have the chance to co-create the future workplace and define the implications of a distributed workforce on * Culture * Teambuilding * Career Planning/Talent Acquisition Together we will break into groups to create shared agreements to the following statements. The results of the sessions will be published in an upcoming Journal article. All participants will have the opportunity to be cited, or contribute confidentially to the piece:
Learning Points
CULTURE: * Without a corporate HQ and centralized workplace, my definition of organizational culture is... * To balance productivity, performance, and engagement with employees during these challenging time, we have responded and planned for a fully remote and/or hybrid model by… TEAM/COLLABORATION: * In the current work environment, we nurture a sense of team by… * To ensure that employees feel connected to the company (and not just the team) we must... CAREER * We have adjusted our talent acquisition efforts to account for a dispersed workforce where location doesn’t matter by…
Key Takeaways
- 1.The shift to a distributed workforce requires a new definition of organizational culture not tied to a physical headquarters.
- 2.Organizations must develop strategies for remote and hybrid models to balance productivity, performance, and employee engagement.
- 3.Nurturing a sense of team and belonging requires intentional effort in a remote or hybrid environment.
- 4.Connecting employees to the broader company mission is crucial when their primary interactions are within their immediate team.
- 5.Talent acquisition strategies must adapt to a landscape where geographic location is no longer a primary workforce factor.
- 6.The post-COVID workplace will not return to its previous state, necessitating a permanent shift in strategy.
Redefining the Workplace After 2020
The events of 2020 significantly accelerated predictions about the "Future Workplace," leading to a rapid shift toward remote work and a more distributed workforce, with as many as 80% of employees working from home. While some organizations and employees have embraced this new environment, others desire a return to previous models. However, the emerging consensus is that the workplace will never fully revert to its pre-COVID state, establishing a "new normal" for the foreseeable future.
This session, featuring BPI’s CEO Louis Carter and former HP Chief Talent Officer Linda Sharkey, provides a forum to collaboratively define the future of work and address the critical challenges it presents.
Key Focus Areas for a Distributed Workforce
The webinar focuses on co-creating shared agreements around the core implications of a distributed workforce on culture, collaboration, and careers.
Evolving Organizational Culture
Without a central headquarters, the traditional definition of organizational culture is challenged. This session explores how to redefine and maintain culture in a remote or hybrid setting. Key questions addressed include:
- How do we define organizational culture when there is no centralized workplace?
- What plans and responses can balance productivity, performance, and engagement in a fully remote or hybrid model?
Fostering Teamwork and Connection
In a distributed environment, ensuring that employees feel connected to their team and the larger organization is paramount. The discussion centers on strategies to build and maintain these connections. Participants will explore:
- Methods for nurturing a sense of team in the current work environment.
- Actions necessary to ensure employees feel connected to the company as a whole, not just their immediate team.
Adapting Career and Talent Strategies
A dispersed workforce, where physical location is less relevant, demands a new approach to talent management. The session examines how to adjust career planning and talent acquisition for this new reality, asking:
- How have talent acquisition efforts been adjusted to account for a workforce where location is no longer a primary consideration?
This session explores the critical considerations for designing and leading the future workplace, an ongoing challenge for organizations worldwide. It addresses the shifting paradigms in how work gets done, where it happens, and the impact on organizational culture and leadership. The insights remain highly relevant as businesses continue to adapt to dynamic global and technological landscapes.
What you'll learn
- Key trends shaping the modern and future workplace.
- Strategies for building organizational resilience and agility.
- Methods for fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning.
- Approaches to effectively manage distributed and hybrid teams.
- How to anticipate and proactively respond to future workforce demands.
Who this webinar is for
- HR leaders and professionals focusing on organizational development and talent strategy.
- Senior executives and managers leading teams in evolving work environments.
- Anyone interested in the strategic implications of workplace transformation.
- Leaders seeking to build more adaptive and engaged workforces.
Why it matters now
The concept of the 'future workplace' is not a distant vision but a present reality, characterized by rapid technological advancement, evolving employee expectations, and unpredictable market conditions. Organizations that fail to strategically design and adapt their work environments risk losing top talent, stifling innovation, and falling behind competitors. Proactive engagement with these shifts is crucial for sustainable success and competitive advantage.
How leaders can apply this
Leaders can use the insights from this session to initiate dialogues within their organizations about necessary workplace transformations. Louis Carter's perspective encourages a comprehensive review of current policies, technologies, and cultural norms to ensure they support a future-ready enterprise. This includes:
- Developing flexible work models that enhance productivity and employee well-being.
- Investing in digital tools and infrastructure that facilitate seamless collaboration.
- Empowering teams with autonomy and supporting skills development for emerging roles.
- Continuously reassessing and evolving organizational values to align with new work paradigms.
- Prioritizing data-driven decision-making to optimize workplace strategies.
About this session
Key takeaways
Watching this webinar gives you grounded, practical perspective on workplace culture. Expect ideas you can use in leadership conversations, not abstract theory, drawn from Louis Carter's direct experience.
Who this is for
CHROs, HR business partners, talent leaders, executive coaches, organizational development practitioners, and senior leaders who are responsible for workplace culture inside their organization.
Why it matters now
Workforce expectations, hybrid work patterns, and AI-driven change keep raising the bar on culture and leadership. Sessions like this help leaders make smarter, more evidence-informed decisions about workplace culture.
How to apply it
Use the ideas here to challenge a current assumption on your team, design a single concrete experiment in the next 30 days, and bring one finding back to your leadership group for discussion.